With Pesach behind us, many are beginning to seriously focus on the Jerusalem mayoral race as Mayor Nir Barkat announced he will not be seeking a third term in office. Yahadut Hatorah announced before Yomtov that after Pesach, it will reach a decision if a chareidi candidate will be backed for the post of if the chareidim will back another person.

The last chareidi candidate in the city race was now Deputy Minister Meir Porush, who ran against Nir Barkat in his first bid for mayor. The disharmony among the chareidim, primarily Yaakov Litzman’s refusal to back him, led to the victory by Barkat. Gerre Chassidim, represented by Litzman in Knesset, did not give its backing for Porush, leading to a major split in the camp and handing Barkat the victory.

Many today believe the chareidim are wiser to back Moshe Leon, a member of the dati leumi community with Likud ties, who has a record testifying to his ability to work with the chareidim. Minister of Jerusalem Affairs (Likud) Ze’ev Elkin also signals he plans to run in the upcoming race. Many feel that without Likud support in Yerushalayim, a candidate, even if backed by all the chareidim, will not have a chance.

Supports of Deputy Mayor Deutsch explain the candidate is testing the waters to determine what support is available, and the candidate has even met with potential donors to see what money might be available for a campaign if he officially announces his candidacy.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)